Maslenitsa (масленица) is the oldest of all Russian holidays. It began as a spring equinox festival called Jarilo, named for the Slavic god of the vegetation and spring. Later it became a Christian holiday, starting on the Monday one week before the Eastern Orthodox Lent.
Maslenitsa is the Russian version of Carnival, with eating, drinking, sledding, games, and costume parades. Like many spring festivals it's a melding of Christianity and Earth Religion, and all of its events still focus on driving away the winter and re-awakening nature.
In Russia, Maslenitsa lasts the entire week, and ends with Forgiveness Sunday, the day before the start of Orthodox Lent, on Clean Monday (February 27th this year).
Agenda:
1. Make an effigy doll
2. Make blini pancakes
On the first day of Maslenitsa, the young people of each town make a straw effigy doll, dress it in bright clothing with ribbons, and take it around with them all week, for sledding and parties. The party atmosphere grows from day to day, and from Thursday through Sunday no one is allowed to work.The Maslenitsa doll is a representation of Jarilo's sister, who's name is Morena or Marzanna, the goddess of death, winter and nightmares. The effigy can be any size, from a small doll to a life-sized statue. (Instructions for the large doll seen above are here.)
One year I made this small doll, and took her with me everywhere, in my pocket and on my handlebars, all week!
Supplies: 6″x6″ piece of white fabric, stuffing (or newspaper), craft stick or twig, string, colorful fabric scraps, scissors, needle, thread, pens, yarn
2 - Insert a stick into the open end and tie at the neck with string.
3 - Wrap a 6” x 6” patterned scrap of cloth over the head to form a scarf, and tie under the chin with another piece of string or yarn.
4- Wrap another 6” x 6” fabric piece around the bottom section of the doll and stick to form the body. The open end of the fabric should be at the back of the doll; tie it on with yarn.
5- Wrap a 3” x 6” piece of fabric around the shoulders of the doll to create a shawl and tie the ends together, or pin.
6- Draw a face with pens if you want.
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| 2022 Maslenitsa doll |
3. Make Blini Pancakes:
The name Maslenitsa comes from the word maslo, which is Russian for butter.
During this week, Russians fast from meat, but eat a lot of rich, buttery blini (pronounced blee-NEE) pancakes. Once Lent begins people will eat even simpler foods, so this is the last chance for feasting!
In Russia, blini are eaten for remembrance of the dead, and also as a symbol of the spring sun. The recipe is here.
During this week, Russians fast from meat, but eat a lot of rich, buttery blini (pronounced blee-NEE) pancakes. Once Lent begins people will eat even simpler foods, so this is the last chance for feasting!
In Russia, blini are eaten for remembrance of the dead, and also as a symbol of the spring sun. The recipe is here.
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